On this week’s edition of Comics Should Be Cheap, our writing staff has just $20 to spend on a huge list of fantastic books. It’s a really tough week to be discerning on, but you can find out what we pick after the jump.
Let us know what you’re getting this week in the comments.
Bone: The Quest for the Spark Volume 1 SC ($10.99) – Now THIS is a hell of a treat. A new Bone comic from Tom Sniegoski and Bone creator Jeff Smith? Introducing new characters and new adventures? Filled with good time fun? Filled with incredible cartooning? This should go home with everyone that likes comics as a rule. I’ve been waiting for a long, long time for this book.
PunisherMAX #10 ($3.99) – Man, I’ve been waiting for the finale for the Bullseye arc for a very, very long time. It’s finally here and I’m really excited to see how this arc from Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon wraps up. If it’s anything like the first four issues, it’s going to be spectacular.
The Walking Dead #81 ($2.99) – It’s The Walking Dead. It’s the most consistently great comic on the market. It’s Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. Come on now. You know why it’s here for the same reason it’s going home with you.
Total: $17.97
Brandon’s Picks
DC Universe: Legacies #9 ($3.99) — This is the book that everyone demanded post 52. It’s a defined history of the DC Universe and Len Wein has been killing on this book along with a laundry list of most excellent art talents. The sad thing is I don’t see enough online about how great this series has been. It’s a book I personally look forward to each month.
Haunt #13 ($1.99) — You read that price correctly! Only a buck ninety-nine! It’s also a jumping on point so if you haven’t checked the book out there are no excuses to not get this issue and try it out.
Incognito: Bad Influences #3 ($3.50) — Last issue came into my store late and I ended up getting it a couple weeks after it came out. If I had gotten it on time it easily would have been on my best of the month list for 4 Color. I have high hopes that this issue will be on the same level as the first two. This is one of my most anticipated issues of the week.
Justice League: Generation Lost #19 ($2.99) — So will Blue Beetle die? Will he live? We’ll be finding out next issue but I imagine the cliffhanger for this issue should be pretty awesome either way. After last issue we seem to be full speed ahead toward the grand finale. This is a fun book and has some of the best DC characters assembled in one place. Can you dig it suckas?!
Wolverine #5.1 ($2.99) – Wasn’t a giant fan of the Invincible Iron Man .1 issue so I’m not sure what to expect here but with Jason Aaron on Wolverine I feel confident this will be an issue worth buying. If you’ve been leery about jumping into Aaron’s current Wolvie run then this would be a great issue to give the trial run to.
Li’l Depressed Boy #1 ($2.99) — I am not sure why I’m looking forward to this book to be honest but it keeps creeping and lurking in my mind. At one point I had even decided not to buy it. In the end I think this book is coming home with me because the concept seems different from anything else I’m buying and to be quiet honest I rather enjoy the art.
Total: $18.45
Walt’s Picks
The Unwritten #22 (2.99) – The ending of last month’s issue of my personal favorite ongoing made me want to rip out my hair in frustration. Do I mean to say that it was bad? Of course not. That ending just made me more excited for the next issue than I have felt in quite a while for any comic. One month later, it’s finally here, and I’m sure Carey and Gross won’t disappoint.
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #153/Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #1 ($3.99/each) – Before I got back into mainstream Marvel comics, I read everything in the Ultimate Marvel setting. It has had some rough times in recent years, but a team-up between the Ultimate Universe’s most influential architects may be just what the alternate universe needs. I’m sure that Ultimate Spider-Man #153 will be good, but I’m a bit wary towards Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates. Millar’s recent Ultimate work hasn’t exactly been A-material. Here’s hoping he can once again deliver the quality that made The Ultimates so great.
Secret Warriors #24 ($2.99) – And now we come in for the home stretch. Secret Warriors has had its ups and downs, but I have never been on the verge of dropping it from my pull. If “Three” confirmed anything, it’s that Jonathan Hickman can pull off a great climax for an ongoing, and if he was able to deliver such a satisfying story featuring characters with such a prestigious legacy behind them, I’m sure he can do the same with a series he defined.
Total: $13.96
Matt’s Picks
Most of the people who know me or even those who just read the site know that I’m a big pre-order guy. I get my comics delivered to me from DCBS from pre-orders I’ve done months in advance, and in doing so I guarantee myself getting the comics that I want as well as getting them at a great discount. However, comics slip under my radar, and sometimes I forget to add them to my order, which then leads me to the store to pick up what I missed. This week, the comics that I am buying in the store actually fully equates to a $20 budget, so I figured rather than telling what I would recommend, I’d instead show exactly what I’m buying:
Amory Wars #8 ($3.99) – Used to be a big fan of Coheed and Cambria. Not so much anymore, but still follow the comic if only for nostalgia/Peter David.
Incredible Hulks #622 ($2.99) – Read the previous issue as Chaos War epilogue just because. Really loved it and plan to get the rest of the arc if not more.
Magus #2 ($3.99) – I have no idea when this comic is supposed to come out, or I’d pre-order the heck out of it. Rebekah Isaacs + magic = buy.
Osborn #3 ($3.99) – Was originally going to pass on this, but DeConnick an Rios have proven too good to ignore.
Red Robin #20 ($2.99) – The first part of a Teen Titans crossover. As I have been enjoying Teen Titans lately, it only makes sense to grab this for my collection.
So there you have it, folks. Are these the top items of the week? Not necessarily. But I hope it’s an interesting (albeit brief) look into some titles you may or may not be getting yourself.
Total: $17.95
Josh’s Picks
The Walking Dead #81 ($2.99) – Ah yes, the book that achieved the impossible. After a 13 volume trade run, I became so riveted, so engaged by the ongoing story of the horror and triumph of life Kirkman has weaved here that I jumped off the trade ship and on to the single issue bandwagon…and I couldn’t be happier to see fictional characters suffer on a monthly basis as opposed to once or twice a year.
Magus #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of this mini was charming as all hell, with an almost hauntingly charming premise of what would happen to a world much like ours if the entire concept of magic all of a sudden escaped the fictional realm and invaded the world. Equal parts mystery, psychological thriller and pure fantasy, Price and Isaacs could have a serious hit on their hands.
Wolverine #5.1 ($2.99) – Jason Aaron’s take on everyone’s favorite surly Canadian has shifted, in extremely short order, from a non-buy, to a buy on a whim, to a pre-order, to an absolute must read. It takes a really inspired brain to make stories about one of the most overused characters in comic book history seem fresh and engaging, and I am absolutely hooked…hooked enough to indulge in the obvious throw away cash cow this issue (and all .1s) could turn out to be.
Continued belowCasanova: Gula #2 ($3.99) – I missed this story during it’s first publication and almost missed it’s recent revival on Icon. However, thanks to some rather forceful prodding from EiC Matt, I got myself caught up on one of the most charming, sexualized, genre defying tales seen in quite some time. And from Fraction and Ba…I’m not really sure why I’m surprised.
X-Factor #215 ($2.99) – As long as Peter David is writing Jamie Madrox, I will gladly fork over my hard earned coin for it. And why? Simply put: comics don’t do entertaining, personal stories that actually seem to matter and take themselves seriously quite like this book does. And also: I get David’s take on a slew of other fantastic characters including several that I grew up with. If that ain’t a bonus I don’t know what is.
Lil Depressed Boy #1 ($2.99) – I can’t really tell you why I’m excited for this book. I know nothing about the creative team or even what the story being told is…but charm pretty much oozed from the preview pages running in Image’s other books over the last few months, so I’ll bite.
Total: $19.94
